Religious Studies

AQA (Short Course) Christianity and Buddhism 8061A Mr S Langhorn

What will I need to know and be able to do before taking this course?

No prior knowledge is assumed, although you will benefit from having been through the Lower School Religious Studies programme; if you have come to Wells recently, the Religious Studies course you followed at Key Stage 3 or to Common Entrance will almost certainly have contained relevant material.

What will I learn?

There are two assessment objectives in GCSE Religious studies: AO1 Knowledge and Understanding of religious beliefs and concepts. AO2 The ability to analyse and evaluate.

In the course you will focus on two religious traditions; Christianity and Buddhism. You will learn about their key beliefs and ethical teachings. You will also study two contemporary moral issues. You will learn what the main problems are in these areas and how the two religions respond to them as well as a range of secular responses. The course is examined by two 50 minute papers in Year 11: Paper 1, Beliefs and Teachings: Christianity and Buddhism Paper 2, Themes: Religion Peace and Conflict, Relationships and Families

How is the course structured and assessed?

The course is taught for three periods per fortnight over two years supplemented by prep. Some preparation will also be done during Year 9. The course is assessed by final examination with two 50 minute papers, one on Christianity and Buddhism the other on Themes. The course is supported by subject-specific textbooks and a wide range of other resources including artefacts, audio and visual materials and ICT.

What Sixth Form subjects will this course be useful for?

Most! Clearly Religious Studies (although it is not a requirement), but also the Humanities and English, because it develops transferable skills such as analysis, comprehension, explanation and evaluation. Students studying A Level Religious Studies are taking Maths, Biology, Psychology, English Literature and Modern Languages.

What were the Religious Studies GCSE examination results like last year?

90% of candidates who took the GCSE course achieved grade 9-4, with 60% at grade 9-7, and 74% at grade 9-5.